I want to talk to you about my word for this year. Three weeks ago, our team leader asked us what our word or theme for the year was. I prayed about it and didn’t have anything for about 2 weeks. I didn’t want to make anything up so I just kept waiting on the Lord to tell me. One morning, a couple of us were downstairs eating with one of our hosts and he was playing some worship music while we were eating. It was very nice. We were just kind of eating and worshipping at the same time. Then he plays this song called “God of this City” by Chris Tomlin. I’ve heard that song so many times and love it. As soon as the chorus came up and said, “Greater things have yet to come, Greater things are still to be done in this city” I knew that my word for this year is GREATER. It was so powerful. I felt the Lord’s Presence at that moment and it was so beautiful. He started reminding me of some scriptures.
John 14:12-13
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even GREATER things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is GREATER than the one who is in the world.
These two passages are so encouraging to me but also very powerful.
I have been paying attention to this word and it’s been coming up all over the place and I’ve been hearing that song a lot.
These past few days, we have been at a gathering/conference with other World Race squads called ‘Awakening.’ We did a lot of different things and one event we had was a special time of intercession for the people who went out to evangelize and also for the people of Cambodia and the leaders and missionaries here in Cambodia. It was a beautiful time of prayer and singing. One of the songs that they sang was “God of this City” which made me super excited. Right before they sang this song, someone spoke about a passage that I’ve never really noticed before. James 5:17-18. Now I know James 5:16 very well. It’s one of my favorite verses. I live by this verse. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.“ I truly believe this and do this and God has always healed me when I’ve confessed my sins to someone. Verses 17-18 say, “Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” When I read those verses I started crying.
You see, 2 days before, I prayed and asked God to please cool down the weather a bit because it was so hot, so he did. It rained and was a little windy which was so nice. I even got caught in the rain going to get some coffee, but I couldn’t even complain because I asked for it. So I just laughed about it. The next day, I prayed for just wind, no rain. And guess what? It was super windy that day, no rain. This same morning, when I woke up, I was thinking, “Lord, I wish I could get some coffee without having to walk to the coffee shop to get it. Maybe I should ask Wendy to get me a coffee.” I didn’t do anything about it. Thirty minutes later Wendy shows up at my door with coffee!!!!
Ok, I know what you are thinking. “Cristina, this is silly. Why would you pray about those things? God doesn’t answer those kinds of prayers. Those are just coincidences.” I know. I thought the same exact thing. But God knew that I was needing confirmation after confirmation that He’s hearing my prayers and that He’s answering them because I have been struggling. And then comes the two verses I spoke of in James 5:17-18. Elijah prayed that it would not rain and it didn’t. Then Elijah prayed that it would rain and it did. I’m not saying that every time you pray for one of these 2 things that it would happen. I’m just saying that it happened to me and that I believe it was God reminding me that He hears me. He knows me. He is answering me. I can trust Him. I don’t have to be anxious or fearful anymore. (More about my anxiety and fear in a later blog.)
This picture was taken as I was thanking God for the rain I prayed for and just enjoying His Presence. I didn’t know this lady was taking a picture of me but I’m so glad she did because she captured that moment of joy and hope from the Lord. He really does answer prayers and He cares about the things we care about. He is not a distant God. He is a personal and caring God. I am believing that I will do GREATER things and that GREATER is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I have had to say that verse many times this past week and I will explain why later.
Prayer requests: I am asking God to give me the mind of Christ and I also am asking that I would see Jesus’ face. I want to know what He has for my future. What is my purpose and calling?
